Hong Kong needs a fresh look at mental health services

18 November 2016

The World Health Organization (WHO) had warned as far back as 2000 that depression could become the second leading cause of disease and disability in the world by 2020.

Despite the stark warning, the Hong Kong government failed to conduct any population-based survey of mental disorders in the city for a long time.

It was only in 2010 that we finally saw some action. That year, the Food and Health Bureau commissioned the first territory-wide mental health study, aiming to examine the prevalence of mental disorders in the city.

In an interim report, The Hong Kong Mental Morbidity Survey 2010-2013 revealed that 362 (14.5 percent) out of 2,500 respondents aged between 16 and 75 were deemed to be having significant levels of neurotic symptoms.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Hong Kong Mental Health Conference. Whether you live locally or are travelling from abroad, please review the information to ensure a smooth and pleasant arrival to the event.

330 – number of psychiatrists working in the public sector in Hong Kong. The patient-doctor ratio in Hong Kong is about 4.5 psychiatrists per 100,000 people. The United Kingdom has 14.63 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, and Australia has 9.16 psychiatrists per 100,000 (WHO, 2014).

Mental Health Statistics and Information

1 in 6 – number of Hong Kong residents who have a common mental disorder, like anxiety or depression, either now or will in his or her lifetime (Hong Kong Mental Morbidity Survey, 2014).

Mental Health Statistics and Information

60% - Number of Hong Konger’s that report experiencing stress and anxiety related to their job (MHA survey, 2014).

Mental Health Statistics and Information

300 million - number of people who experience depression globally. It is a very common mental health problem.

Mental Health Statistics and Information

15% - percentage of adults aged 60 and over suffer from a mental disorder.

Mental Health Statistics and Information

No. 2 - Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year old worldwide.

Mental Health Statistics and Information

47.5 million - Number of people worldwide who have dementia (and there are 7.7 million new cases every year).

Connect

With the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.

Be Active

Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy and one that suits your level of mobility and fitness.

Take Notice

Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.

Keep Learning

Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident, as well as being fun.

Give

Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and will create connections with the people around you.